Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated. Thomas Jefferson More Quotes by Thomas Jefferson More Quotes From Thomas Jefferson I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom. Thomas Jefferson government-debtrevolutionpeople Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and I am sure...we both value too much the freedom of opinion sanctioned by our Constitution, not to cherish its exercise even where in opposition to ourselves. Thomas Jefferson democracydifferencesexercise I will not believe our labors are lost. I shall not die without a hope that light and liberty are on a steady advance. Thomas Jefferson freedomlightbelieve How much pain they have cost us, the evils which have never happened. Thomas Jefferson painself-esteemfear I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries of comforts of life. Thomas Jefferson israelcountryfather I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. Such a variety of subjects, some one always coming to perfection, the failure of one thing repaired by the success of another, and instead of one harvest a continued one through the year. Thomas Jefferson gardenshould-haveyears Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at pleasure. Thomas Jefferson lawmenmean It is so difficult to draw a clear line of separation between the abuse and the wholesome use of the press, that as yet we have found it better to trust the public judgment, rather than the magistrate, with the discrimination between truth and falsehood. And hitherto the public judgment has performed that office with wonderful correctness. Thomas Jefferson abuselinesoffice The constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruption's of time and party, its members would become despots. Thomas Jefferson partyknowinghands Amplification is the vice of modern oratory. It is an insult to an assembly of reasonable men, disgusting and revolting instead ofpersuading. Speeches measured by the hour, die by the hour. Thomas Jefferson amplificationvicesmen A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate. Thomas Jefferson 4th-of-julyrightslaw Every man cannot have his way in all things. If his opinion prevails at some times, he should acquiesce on seeing that of others preponderate at other times. Without this mutual disposition we are disjointed individuals, but not a society. Thomas Jefferson democracymenway I have lived temperately....I double the doctor's recommendation of a glass and a half wine each day and even treble it with a friend. Thomas Jefferson doctorswinefood While the farmer holds the title to the land, actually, it belongs to all the people because civilization itself rests upon the soil. Thomas Jefferson landcivilizationpeople My reason for fixing them in office for a term of years, rather than for life, was that they might have an idea that they were at a certain period to return into the mass of the people and become the governed instead of the governors which might still keep alive that regard to the public good that otherwise they might perhaps be induced by their independence to forget. Thomas Jefferson peopleyearsideas How to check these unconstitutional invasions of rights by the Federal judiciary? Not by impeachment in the first instance, but by a strong protestation of both houses of Congress that such and such doctrines advanced by the Supreme Court are contrary to the Constitution; and if afterwards they relapse into the same heresies, impeach and set the whole adrift. For what was the government divided into three branches, but that each should watch over the others and oppose their usurpations? Thomas Jefferson governmentstrongrights Let the eye of vigilance never be closed. Thomas Jefferson vigilanceeye A lawyer without books would be like a workman without tools. Thomas Jefferson toolswould-bebook Civil officials have no business meddling in private religious affairs. Thomas Jefferson atheismreligiousreligion If ever this vast country is brought under a single government, it will be one of the most extensive corruption, indifferent and incapable of a wholesome care over so wide a spread of surface. This will not be borne, and you will have to choose between reform and revolution. If I know the spirit of this country, the one or the other is inevitable. Thomas Jefferson reformgovernmentcountry
